The Future of Consumerist

Over the last twelve years, Consumerist has been a steadfast proponent and voice on behalf of consumers, from exposing shady practices by secretive cable companies to pushing for action against dodgy payday lenders. Now, we’re joining forces with Consumer Reports, our parent organization, to cultivate the next generation of consumer advocacy.

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New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority has already redefined the term “customer service” as “screwing over customers by cutting service.” But now the MTA is tackling another item in the dictionary, attempting to put a limit on that which is supposedly “unlimited.”

For $89, subway and bus riders can purchase 30-day unlimited MetroCards, which — as the name implies — allows them unlimited rides. But according to the NY Daily News, the MTA feels like it’s giving away too much of a good thing with that deal and wants to impose a 90-ride limit on the cards.

While most people, who use the MTA mainly to commute to and from work, won’t notice the limits, those who travel around the city during the work-day — messengers, sales reps — will be forced to purchase extra fares to cover those rides over the limit of 90.

A rep for transit watchdog group the Straphangers Campaign isn’t thrilled about the idea:

The MTA’s financial problems are real, but I’m very concerned they’re going to sock it to the riding public to the exclusion of other groups [that] benefit from transit, like drivers and businesses.